Tuesday 6 September 2011 14.09 EDT
First published on Tuesday 6 September 2011 14.09 EDT

24 years in 140 characters: Dropped the "Western" after reaching last eight in 91 and 95 and haven't gone so far since, though Wales were beaten in Cardiff again, in 99.

World Cup record:

1987: Not invited

1991: Quarter-finals

1995: Quarter-finals

1999: Quarter-final play-offs

2003: Pool Stages

2007: Pool Stages.

Record in 2011: P4 W2 L2

Coach: Titimaea Tafua

Captain: Seilala Mapusua

How are they likely to get on? Surprisingly, the weakest of the South Sea islands in 2007 – but their victory over Australia in July is an indication that this year should be more like 1991, when they beat Wales on their way to the quarter-finals. Their squad bulges with players who have earned their livings in Europe, from Alesana Tuilagi, Seilala Mapusua, Eliota Fuimano-Sapolu, David Lemi, Sailosi Tagicakibau and Paul Williams to Census Johnston, Daniel Leo, Mahonri Schwalger and Kane Thompson. Samoa finished bottom of this year's IRB Pacific Nations Cup, beating the eventual champions, Japan, but losing at home to Fiji and away to Tonga. They will have the benefit of four months in camp, compared to barely a week on their infrequent visits to Europe.

Key player: Samoa have a back division to compare with most. Winning primary possession will be their concern, but in the former London Irish centre Seilala Mapusua they have a master of directing traffic.

Commentator's kit: The only player to play in five World Cups is Samoan. Fortunately for unsuspecting fly-halves everywhere, Brian "The Chiropractor" Lima, so called because a tackle from him was a cheap way to rearrange your spine, retired after the 2007 event.